the good old soccer game …

Posted on December 2, 2025 by Robert

Canadian Soccer team – 1888, photo from the Les Jones collection

Toronto. Collectors of sports photos should consider soccer photos like the one at left of our 1888 team that wowed fans by beating the British team. Member (and past president, author, photographer, collector etc.) Les Jones wrote a book review titled, “Soccer – Canada’s Game”, illustrated with a photo from his collection.

The review begins, “So what has soccer got to do with the PHSC? Well, a new book Keeping Score – The Encyclopaedia of Canadian Soccer has been published with the help of several PHSC members. It features two never before published photographs: a 111 year old photo [in 1999] of the very first soccer teams to participate in an overseas international game, and a picture of the Canadian team from Galt, Ontario who won the Olympic soccer GOLD medal in 1904!

“Soccer may not have the glamour of football or hockey but organised soccer in Canada may very well predate those other national pastimes. More people play soccer in Canada than any other sport… so who says Canada has no soccer tradition.

“To explain the claim that Canada was the very first country in the world to undertake an overseas soccer tour we would point out that apart from low-key visits by lacrosse teams, overseas tours by any Canadian sports teams were unknown until 1888. That was when a motley crew of amateur enthusiasts with names like: “Zip-Zip” Gibson, “Gravestone Bill” Mustard, “Silent City Dave” Forsyth and a right back named “Killer”, sailed off to the motherland of soccer to take the sporting world by storm.” …

Members read all of the above review in the issue 25-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. See above and at right to join. Membership questions can be emailed to our membership secretary at member@phsc.ca.

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patronage and photography

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Robert

an example of the importance of Victorian Patronage

Toronto. As an old photo collector, you may have noticed that the back of some CdVs and cabinet cards have an elaborate design stating the photographer’s special relationship with British royalty.

Continuing our 25th anniversary theme, in issue 25-5 of the journal, editor Lansdale offers an article by PHSC member, the late Thomas Ritchie of Ottawa, on Victorian Patronage as applied to the photographic industry (Canada was closely aligned with Britain in the 19th and first half of the 20th century).

Bob was a strong supporter of the publication of a wide variety of articles to celebrate our 25th anniversary year. He was in fact, a real spark of ingenuity and enthusiasm offering many suggestions beyond his journal activities.

Mr Ritchie’s article is titled. “Victorian Photographers and Royal Patronage” and shows how such patronage was valued. His article begins, “When Princess Victoria became Queen, photography was still a curiosity, but by the end of her reign it had risen to be recognized as both an art and a science involving more than 17,000 professional photographers in Great Britain alone, as well as the general public through the widespread use of hand cameras.

“She was a patron of art (with Sir William Newton as ‘Miniature Painter to Queen Victoria’) and was equally a patron of photography, conferring on fortunate photographers her special recognition.

“One of the fortunates to receive the Queen’s honour was William Notman, the Montreal photographer, granted the title Photographer to the Queen, not because of the Queen’s pleasure with the results of a sitting before his camera, but rather to express her pleasure with a large collection of Notman’s photographs taken when her son Edward, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), visited Canada in 1860.

“The appeal of the photographs and the Queen’s great interest in photography resulted in Notman becoming ‘Photographer to the Queen’, a title that soon appeared on the backs of his photographs, along with references to prizes that he had won in photographic exhibitions.

“Notman also photographed Victoria’s son Arthur, the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, who as a young man took up a military career as an officer of the Royal Engineers with service in Canada in 1870 during the Red River Expedition. His subsequent service took him to many parts of the British Empire, returning to Canada in 1911 with the rank of Field Marshal to become Governor-General of Canada.

“Another of Notman’s royal clients, the Marquis of Lorne, served as Governor-General from 1878 to 1883; his wife, Princess Louise, was the Queen’s daughter.” …

Members read all of Mr Ritchie’s well illustrated article either in the original printed journal, or the issue 25-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. Joining is a snap – see above and at right. Any membership questions can be emailed to our membership secretary at member@phsc.ca.

 

 

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heady days of mail/phone auctions

Posted on November 30, 2025 by Robert

An Exakta from an unsold lot – the Bill Mair collection

Toronto. Just over a quarter century ago, we felt a mail order catalogue of auction items would allow distant members of the PHSC to participate. Member Stan White volunteered to write the catalogue, not realizing the tremendous task he would undertake.

In those days, web site images were of a small size allowing a faster page load over the limited bandwidth. The dimensions of the tiny photo at left were nearly doubled in size to create this thumbnail. The image was far too small to enlarge to the usual 1200 x 900 view even though the original was taken with a Nikon Coolpix 990 digital camera with its massive 3-1/3 mpx size sensor.

For our first mail/phone venture, we planned to auction off the collection of a long time member, the late Bill Mair. Here is the note posted in our 25-5 issue of the journal:

“BILL MAIR COLLECTION – OF COLLECTABLE CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC LITERATURE TO BE AUCTIONED

“Watch for an illustrated catalogue being sent to all PHSC members for a mail/phone auction of the Bill Mair collection offering very collectable cameras and photographic literature. At last count there were 165 lots of cameras and accessories and 85 lots of books/magazines. All will be accessible also on the PHSC website [our original website – now long gone]: http://web.onramp.ca/phsc.

“Highlights include eight cameras by Ihagee (Exa and Exakta), ten by Leica, seven by Rollei, seven by Voigtländer, thirty-four by Zeiss.

“Books include four volumes of Von Daguerre Bis Heute, thirteen Leica Collector’s and  Price guides, and ten Zeiss Collector’s Guides. Bill Mair was a longtime PHSC member who assembled a fine collection, most in excellent condition. Closing date is June 15. ?

We operated our auctions under tighter rules back then. All unsold lots were put in a silent auction that September at the monthly Toronto meeting (after a second mail auction a few years later, the compiler of the catalogue vowed to never again agree to such an arduous task). …

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a couple of rare birds …

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Robert

a couple of rare 35mm cameras courtesy of Shelton Chen

Toronto. The cover shot for issue 25-5 featured two rare 35mm cameras from the 1930s  and early 1940s courtesy of Shelton Chen (HIT Camera owner, Karsh expert).

Inside, editor Bob Lansdale added this choice description of the two cameras: “Our cover image might be designated Chen’s Choice(est). Herein we have a sampling of some of the most interesting cameras that sleuth Shelton Chen finds in his travels and sets before our members. Many cameras find their final market in Japan.

“At the top is a Canon NS of 1941 of which only 99 were produced. This body carries the number 10967 and is equipped with a Nikkor 5cm f3.5 lens by Nippon-Kogaku. The NS body differs from the S body in that it lacks the slow shutter speeds. Estimated value – $20 thousand [in year 2000].

“The second camera is the Ihagee Night Exakta of c1936, so named because of its special fast lens, the Biotar f2.0 80mm (seen here) or the f1.9 Primoplan lens. The Exakta was the first small focal plane SLR boasting it was free from parallax. The focal plane shutter ran from 1/1000th of a second to 12 seconds.

“Interchangeable lenses included a telephoto and a wide-angle. Although Exaktas had several film formats the 24x36mm body was introduced to use the increasingly popular economic 35mm film with a 36 picture load.?”

Members enjoyed this and all other articles in issue 25-5 either in print or in the 25-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. Joining or renewing is a snap – see above and at right for choices. Any membership questions may be emailed to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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inclement weather can make great photos

Posted on November 28, 2025 by Robert

aftermath of a 1960s ice storm – courtesy Ev Roseborough

Toronto. In collecting old photos, one source may be old photographic greeting cards. Our journal editor, the late Bob Lansdale, wrote this article and anecdote from a conversation with the previous journal editor, the late EvRoseborough.

Bob Writes, “As we settle into the grips of the snow season we are reminded that nature can turn an ugly hand at any time and place us at its mercy. Last year’s ice storms [1999] created havoc to our electric distribution systems causing many households to add portable generators to their emergency survival kit.

“Nature can also apply a touch of artistry during her wintery blasts. Such is the case with our accompanying illustration which Ev Roseborough shot in the 1960’s. Recalls Ev, ‘I had a standing invitation from Mark Napier, VP of J. Walter Thompson ad agency to visit his farm just north of Toronto. The morning after the storm the sun burst forth and all was beautiful; so I bundled my kids into the car and phoned to say I was on the way.

“There were photo opportunities for my Rollei in all directions but this scene  [above left] which includes Mark, his wife Frances and their poodle dog, turned out to be the best. It was chosen for the Napier family’s Christmas card.”‘ …

Of course members could read all of Bob’s article (and another Christmas related anecdote from Mr Roseborough) in the issue 25-4 pdf file on the free members only DVD/thumb drive. To join (or renew) see above and at right. Email membership questions to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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reflections of the past

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Robert

part of the gift to the late Dr Wilson from his uncle

Toronto. We all have memories of how we became involved in photography. Sometimes a camera or cameras are gifted and our innate  curiosity takes over. The late Dr Robert Wilson, for many years very active in the PHSC – you may have bought old books or old stereo images from him at one of our fairs – received a gift and a letter.

In issue 25-4 of our journal, Bob shares that letter with us along with photos of the goodies received from a favourite uncle. The gift was literally the foundation of a camera collection in itself. The letter begins: “Dear Bob: I quite enjoyed our brief conversation about photography and so you may appreciate some of the old stuff I am passing on to you for disposition or retention as you please.

“My mother, your grandmother, had an interest in photography and taught me how to develop films and make prints in the 1930’s when I was in knee pants. We used wax trays and blackened out all the windows in the kitchen at xxxx Main East in Hamilton. You will find her old split-back printing frame in the junk box.

“You could buy developers and hypo in any drug store in those days. Later when I was using the house to practice dentistry, I naturally had a darkroom so I could process my X-Ray films. At that time the only camera I had was an old box camera using the then-popular 120 film.

“I can remember drooling over the Eaton’s catalogues which had pictures of fabulous cameras. One of the cameras that I ‘worshiped’ most was a Mercury 35mm at a cost of $90.00 in the years 1945-48. If you multiply by the inflation factor ( at least x15 ) you will see why owning one was a wild dream when the yearly salary for a public school teacher was only $900-$1200.

“Many years later I bought the one in the box for about $10 and used it up at the cottage in the fifties.” …

You can read all of this letter in the issue 25-4 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. Non members can find out how to join above and at right. Any member questions may be emailed to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

While our 2025 Events are over, Similar events are planned for 2026 and will appear in the right sidebar when confirmed. A post will give details a few weeks before each event.

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a very special old photo contest

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Robert

too hot to work – first prize (Robert Squires)

Toronto. In the early years of the PHSC, we ended the ‘year’ with a summer picnic and photo contest – but with a difference. The locale was noted for featuring the olden days (like Black Creek Pioneer Village here in the big smoke) and the photos were taken with (initially) pre minicam cameras often dating to the 1800s.

In his enthusiasm to celebrate the 25th  anniversary of the PHSC, editor Lansdale suggested amongst other events, a special photo contest with awards and publication in the PHSC journal. The judges were non-PHSC folk recognized for their acumen and judgement of photographs. The cameras used were extended to 120 roll, or 35mm but old.

In issue 25-4 the winning photos and winners and prizes were published. The first prize award ($250) went to the late Bob Squires (PHSC member and high school teacher) for his photograph taken with an old standard Rolleiflex TLR camera.

Ed Warner, the Photo Contest Chairman, wrote this article about the winners: “Winners of the PHSC 25th Anniversary Photo Contest were announced at the December [1999] meeting after judging had been completed by visitors Robert Hall, John Poole and Jonathan Ward. This panel was supplied by the GTCCC from a list of qualified judges.

“Taking first place honours was Bob Squires who won the $250.00 prize for his B&W image of Too Hot To Work. Fred Hunt followed in second place with a colour scenic of The Sacred Ground, winning $100.00. Everett Roseborough’s Portrait of Gloria, a strong seductive head shot was chosen for the $50.00 third award.

“The judges selected two additional photographs which they felt deserving of an Honourable Mention. Larry Boccioletti and Mike Robinson will receive $25.00 each.

“The awards will be presented at our February 16th [2000] meeting in Toronto. Other participants in the competition worth mentioning were: Thomas Ritchie, Walter Shean, Vincent Chan, Harold Stein and Michael Oesch.

“Congratulations to all!”

Members saw not  only this brief summary, but all winning photos and the cameras used in the issue 25-4 pdf on the free members’ only DVD/thumb drive. Not a member? Joining is both cheap and easy-peasy – see above and at right. Any membership questions may be emailed to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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a tale of the shutter tester

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Robert

a nifty shutter tester once sold to members a quarter century ago

Toronto. Editor Bob Lansdale published a number of extra page journals to celebrate our 25th. In issue 25-4, Past President, the late Ron Anger, wrote an article titled, “The Shutter Tester” (back then, camera collectors and users often attempted to determine the speed and condition of a camera’s shutter).

Popular photography magazines of the time occasionally offered ways one could test a shutter. Mr Toding went even further, creating a device to test any camera shutter.

Ron begins his story thusly, “About five years ago [1995] an old fellow approached me at our PHSC camera fair and asked, ‘Could I sell a shutter tester?’. This is how I first met Mr. Toding. He left his phone number and an invitation to visit his workshop located in the attic of his bungalow home in the Bayview/Eglinton area.

“On my first visit I perused a miniature Unimat lathe from Austria which had been modified with a bigger motor from Active Surplus on Queen Street and a direct drive belt replacing the original elastic rubber one. ‘I sometimes repair the early Contaxes’, he declared.

“Getting around to the shutter tester, I could buy them at $50 each. This obviously meant he was manufacturing the units right here in the attic. The tester consisted of a grey metal box with a six figure digital readout and six solid state chips for the oscillator and counter. To operate it, you place the camera on a bracket that lines up with a light source.

“A cell is positioned behind the shutter to pick up the light coming through the lens. All the instructions were there along with a chart to correlate the counter reading in milliseconds to camera shutter. I took away three testers and sold hem at the next camera show.” …

You can read all of the illustrated ‘Shutter Tester’ article in the issue 25-4 pdf file on the free members’ only DVD/thumb drive. See above and at right to join (it’s easy and inexpensive). Questions on membership can be emailed directly to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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what about the …

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Robert

left – the Hobart Centair lens and right – the Leitz Elmar 50mm f/3.5

Toronto. …Tasmanian Leica Lens? In celebration of our 25th anniversary, editor Bob Lansdale cajoled the editors of our exchange journals to offer up an article for Photographic Canadiana.

Ray Moss of the LHSA submitted Chris Kok’s article, “The Tasmanian Leica Lens”. a very rare copy of the famous 50mm f/3.5 Elmar.

Chis begins, “Yes indeed, a copy of the famous 50mm f3.5 Elmar was made in Australia by the Waterworth Company of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. The Waterworth Company was founded in Hobart for the purpose of manufacturing military optical products such as gunsights and weapon rangefinders for the Australian army during the Second World War. However, it is not commonly known that they made a camera lens in Leica screw-mount known as the “Centair”.

“The exact optic formula and layout of this lens is unknown but its external appearance has a close resemblance to that of the Leica Elmar except that its mount is not collapsible.

“It is unknown as to how many Centair lenses were actually made but they must be quite limited in number. The sample I have is no. 133; no. 171 has been published in an Australian Journal. A closer comparison of the sample that I have with that shown in the Journal reveals several external differences regarding the aperture adjustment ring, the shape of the lens barrel and the style of the engraving.

“I have tested the performance of the Centair lens and, to my surprise, I find the lens extremely soft but excellent for portraits (contrary to one’s expectation of military optics which are usually sharp and hard). The sharpness of my lens probably could be improved by a thorough cleaning but I quite like the way it is now.” …

All of Chris Kok’s illustrated article is available in the issue 25-4 pdf file on the free members’ only DVD/thumb drive. Details on joining are found above and to the right. Membership questions may be emailed to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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like no other …

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Robert

Lomography Petzval lens from their 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Toronto. The name Petzval is familiar to photographic historians and collectors. The original lens won a contest for a fast portrait lens shortly after the invention of the Daguerreotype technology was released. Eder’s book on the History of Photography (Dover reprint) has the gory details.

The Lomography folks designed a newer lens, also called a Petzval but a bit faster at f/1.9 and shorter at 80.5mm focal length. It is included in the Lomography Holiday Gift Guide for 2025.

Chloe Fuller down in the Big Apple writes:

“Dear Film Photography Friends and Press Partners,

“The holiday season has begun and we’re excited to share our Holiday Gift Guide 2025! Featuring a selection of our most popular film cameras, instant cameras, lenses, film and accessories, this guide is designed to inspire creativity and make holiday shopping a breeze.

“Our collection offers something special for everyone – from absolute beginners to seasoned film enthusiasts. With a variety of colorways and designs, there’s a perfect match for every style and budget.

“This holiday season, let us help you create a holiday shopping experience your community will remember – with gifts that inspire creativity, nostalgia and wonderful memories.

“Attached [pdf format]: The Lomography Gift Guide 2025.

“Press Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QrKXXbkOGh2hz1Sc2shS-uZnU3u8zi4U?usp=sharing

“Shop Lomography Deals: https://shop.lomography.com/deals

“Happy Holidays!

“Stay analogue,”.

And for those in the big smoke, remember that Downtown Camera have many of the Lomography goodies in stock too. PS: The link notes the Nov 2023 auction – we have since held the 2024 and 2025 auctions. Our next event is likely the 2026 spring auction not yet confirmed.

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